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Rental Market Trends in San Mateo, CA

What is the average rent in San Mateo, CA?

$3,065/month

Average Rent

697 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

+3.7%

Increase in the Last Year

As of April 2026, the average rent in San Mateo, CA is $3,065 per month. This is 87% higher than the national average rent price of $1,641/month, making San Mateo one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in San Mateo, you can expect to pay about $2,486 per month for a studio, $3,065 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $3,960 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $5,419 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,486/month
466 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$3,065/month
697 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,960/month
990 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$5,419/month
1,276 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$23,145/month
5,047 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,879/month
581 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,948/month
1,106 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in San Mateo, CA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 3.7%, which averages out to $114 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated April 2026
Legend
2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in San Mateo, CA
Last Updated April 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in San Mateo, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
2% $700 - $1,000/month
6% $1,001 - $1,500/month
19% $1,501 - $2,000/month
74% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Mateo?

Based on current rent prices, Sugarloaf, Beresford Park and Shoreview are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Mateo.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Sugarloaf
$2,772/month
733 Sq Ft
Beresford Park
$3,178/month
720 Sq Ft
Shoreview
$3,285/month
643 Sq Ft
Hillsdale
$3,359/month
686 Sq Ft
North Central
$3,865/month
802 Sq Ft
Hayward Park
$3,882/month
734 Sq Ft
Downtown San Mateo
$4,142/month
821 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Mateo?

Based on current rent prices, Downtown San Mateo, Hayward Park and North Central are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Mateo.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown San Mateo
$4,142/month
821 Sq Ft
Hayward Park
$3,882/month
734 Sq Ft
North Central
$3,865/month
802 Sq Ft
Hillsdale
$3,359/month
686 Sq Ft
Shoreview
$3,285/month
643 Sq Ft
Beresford Park
$3,178/month
720 Sq Ft
Sugarloaf
$2,772/month
733 Sq Ft

Which San Mateo neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in San Mateo with the most apartments available are Hillsdale, Shoreview and North Central .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Hillsdale
$3,359/month
686 Sq Ft
Shoreview
$3,285/month
643 Sq Ft
North Central
$3,865/month
802 Sq Ft
Downtown San Mateo
$4,142/month
821 Sq Ft
Hayward Park
$3,882/month
734 Sq Ft
Beresford Park
$3,178/month
720 Sq Ft
Sugarloaf
$2,772/month
733 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Mateo, CA?

Because the average rent in San Mateo is $3,065, you’ll want to make about $10,216 per month or $122,592 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

San Mateo, CA

675 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does San Mateo, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare San Mateo, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for San Mateo, CA

Apartment Averages

Sugarloaf

San Mateo, CA

Downtown San Mateo

San Mateo, CA

Studio
$1,986/month
$2,378/month
One Bedroom
$2,321/month
$3,227/month
Two Bedroom
$3,177/month
$3,907/month
Three Bedroom
$3,577/month
$5,302/month
Search
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Nearby City Rent Trends

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  • San Bruno Average Rent

Apartment communities in San Mateo we think you'll love

Bridgepointe

Bridgepointe

1987 Bridgepointe Pky,
San Mateo, CA 94404

$3,277 - $5,387 Total Monthly Price

1-3 Beds

CitySouth

CitySouth

3055 La Selva Ln,
San Mateo, CA 94403

$2,887 - $4,086

1-3 Beds

Bay Terrace

Bay Terrace

3204 Casa De Campo Way,
San Mateo, CA 94403

$2,941 - $4,550

2-3 Beds

Hillsdale Garden

Hillsdale Garden

3500 Edison St,
San Mateo, CA 94403

$2,415 - $4,650 Total Monthly Price

Studio - 3 Beds

Property Management Companies in San Mateo, CA

Spieker Companies, Inc.
Spieker Companies, Inc.
  • 43

    Communities

  • 2,835

    Units

  • 15

    Cities

8 Communities in San Mateo
Essex
Essex
  • 112

    Communities

  • 38,650

    Units

  • 59

    Cities

5 Communities in San Mateo
Prometheus Real Estate Group, Inc.
Prometheus Real Estate Group, Inc.
  • 36

    Communities

  • 11,007

    Units

  • 11

    Cities

5 Communities in San Mateo
Greystar
Greystar
  • 3,486

    Communities

  • 959,009

    Units

  • 891

    Cities

4 Communities in San Mateo
Equity Residential
Equity Residential
  • 156

    Communities

  • 51,702

    Units

  • 72

    Cities

4 Communities in San Mateo
Woodmont Real Estate Services
Woodmont Real Estate Services
  • 64

    Communities

  • 10,303

    Units

  • 33

    Cities

4 Communities in San Mateo
Income Property Specialists
Income Property Specialists
  • 15

    Communities

  • 744

    Units

  • 8

    Cities

3 Communities in San Mateo
AMC
AMC
  • 613

    Communities

  • 122,644

    Units

  • 243

    Cities

2 Communities in San Mateo

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United States California San Mateo Rental Trends

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity